Introduction
The contemporary society actively recognizes honesty as the ultimate virtue. The result of honesty is strengthened relationships and trust. However, Shakespeare’s Othello, the character ‘Honest Iago’ twists the meaning of honesty to ultimately lead into his personal dishonesty, abusing the strong relationship and trust he possesses with Othello. Iago first appears to other characters as a truthful person, but eventually shows his true evil and manipulative self. The words ‘honest’ and ‘honesty’ show up fifty-two times throughout Othello. Despite honesty appearing frequently throughout the play, its meaning extremely differs based on its diverse utilization in different contexts, typically alluding to dishonesty. These different uses show the strength of the virtue, whether “honest” is used for good or bad. Dramatic irony emerges through the theme of honesty throughout the play. Iago proves the ease of gaining trust by manipulation through putative ‘honesty’, filled lies and deceit. Further, Desdemona shows the power of trust in Othello. Honesty and trustworthiness are themes in Othello that shape the complexity of the play, depending on the situation.
Uses of Honesty
Moreover, in Act 3, Scene 3, the author demotes different uses of honesty after Iago falsely profess to Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful to Othello and having an affair with Cassio. Iago states, “O wretched fool, That liv'st to make thine honesty a vice!— O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world: To be direct and honest is not safe.— I thank you for this profit; and from hence I'll love no friend, sith love breeds such offense.” Othello responds, “Nay, stay. Thou shouldst be honest.” Iago says, “I should be wise; for honesty's a fool And loses that it works for.” Othello lastly says, “By the world, I think my wife be honest and think she is not” (3.3.429-439). In the first line, Iago ironically states that it is not safe to portray qualities of honesty. It is ironic that his nickname is ‘Honest Iago’, as he essentially calls himself a fool. He refers to the supposed dishonesty to Cassio, stating that he’ll love no friend as it breeds offense. Iago states that he could not surround himself with deceitful people. Irony builds as Othello states that he should maintain his honest trait. This conversation clearly demonstrates the strength of Othello’s trust in Iago.
Reputation
Furthermore, reputation is closely tied with honesty and trustworthiness. When the virtue of honesty and trustworthiness is broken, reputation is extremely difficult to repair. Iago tarnished Cassio reputation through lies and manipulations as he managed to convince Othello or Cassio’s inexistent affair with Desdemona. In conversation with Iago, who has single-handedly ruined him, Cassio states, ''Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation!'' Iago responds with dramatic irony, “As I am an honest man, I thought you had received some bodily wound. There is more sense in that than in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition oft got without merit and lost without deserving (2.3.262-268).” Iago is telling Cassio that reputation is not important. This was another lie from Iago as it resulted in the disposition of Cassio from Othello. Warren Buffett said it well, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” It takes only a single moment of alleged deceit to prove one cannot be trusted, this moment was the turning point for Othello to lose his trust in Cassio.
Consequently, Shakespeare depicts the most powerful display of trust from Desdemona. Emilia asks, “O, who hath done this deed?” to which Desdemona responds, “Nobody. I myself. Farewell. Commend me to my kind lord. O, farewell” (5.2.151-153). After being strangled by Othello for reasons that were not truly justified, Desdemona defends his actions and takes the blame for the situation. Regardless of Iago’s manipulation, which has consequently ruined the strong bond between Desdemona and Othello, Desdemona continued to display her trust, conviction and submissiveness to her husband Othello. The trust Desdemona has in Othello is powerful enough to admit the murder, despite her complete innocence.
Conclusion
Conclusively, the characters in Othello show how the strength of trust can be easily broken through dishonesty. Deceitful manipulations of Iago not only destroyed the bod between Othello and Desdemona but also resulted in the untimely death of Cassio and Desdemona. Consistent lies and deceit form the complex foundation of the plot denoted in the manipulation of ‘Honest Iago’, the most dishonest character in the play. Shakespeare also explores the nature of blind faith from Othello to Iago as he receives the news, as well as from Desdemona to Othello as she accepts her death. Othello, Iago, and Desdemona display the complex dynamics of honesty and trustworthiness throughout Othello. The play portrays the negative consequences of having bling faith and extreme honesty in an individual. Regardless of the close ties, it is extremely vital to investigate, evaluate and assess claims before taking extreme measures. Othello regretfully murdered both Cassio and Desdemona due to his blind conviction in Iago, who only manipulated him
